Small traders demand army chief take control of city
Police and Crime Scene unit officials enter in school for further investigation, after a student fall from the third-floor balcony of a private school in Qasimabad. PHOTO: EXPRESS
The small traders have demanded of the army chief take measures against the rising street crimes and lawlessness and restore the confidence of investors, traders and industrialists in Karachi. They say that the country cannot progress without restoring the business status of Karachi.
Chairman of All Karachi Trade Union Atiq Mir has expressed concern over the increasing crime incidents in the city the commercial hub of the country, saying that the city has been left at the mercy of criminals.
He said that the government seems helpless in front of bandits. Either army should take the control of the city or the police and rangers are given more powers. Traders want peace and protection of life and property.
He warned, if the business environment is not improved and traders are not provided, the government will not get the tax.
People are being robbed on every street and intersection. Bandits and murderers are fearlessly shedding human blood on the slightest resistance during robberies, he said, adding that commercial activities have come to a halt and carrying cash has become a very risky task. The criminal elements have no fear of law enforcement agencies.
He said that doing business has become difficult. Traders are not safe anywhere, including shops, markets, homes and banks as a result they are being forced to move out of the city with their capital.
He said that criminals have the patronage of powerful elements, which is the reason they do not hesitate to rob and kill citizens during the robbery.
He demanded the government conduct an operation to confiscate illegal weapons in the city or make it easy for citizens and businessmen to get arm licence so that they could protect their lives and property.
Expressing regret, he said that due to the patronage of corrupt elements by the police and high-level officials, the criminals have no fear of punishment because the rates are fixed to free them.
He said, in a society where justice comes at a price, the crime cannot be stopped.
He demanded of the Sindh government to remove the corrupt officials from all departments.
He said that police department should be made an independent institution free from political influence.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 10th, 2023.